Monday, December 21, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 75

Eight games on tonight in the beginning of a short week due to the Christmas break. The first game is...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Cam Ward are the middling goalies. Washington opened in the first period on a Michael Latta goal, his third of the season, passed from Andre Burakovsky and Dmitry Orlov. The Capitals added on with a Jason Chimera goal in the second period, his ninth of the year, courtesy of John Carlson and Jay Beagle. Carolina got on the board with a Kris Versteeg goal in the third period, his fifth of the campaign, assisted by John-Michael Liles and Eric Staal. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Grubauer (31 for 32 in saves), Chimera, and Latta.

Up in Brooklyn, the New York Islanders welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Frederk Andersen and Jaroslav Halak are the solid goalies. Anaheim was first to score in the first period on a Carl Hagelin goal, his third of the season, via Andrew Cogliano. New York tied it on a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Thomas Hickey and Casey Cizikas. The Islanders took the lead on a Travis Hamonic goal, his second of the season, fueled by John Tavares and Ryan Strome. New York added on with a Brock Nelson goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Tavares and Johnny Boychuk. John Gibson replaced Andersen at the start of the second period. The Ducks got one back on a Josh Manson goal in the third period, his second of the season, courtesy of Sami Vatanen and Ryan Getzlaf. The Islanders replied on a Josh Bailey goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Anders Lee. New York iced it at 5-2 on a Matt Martin goal empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Cizikas. The three stars were Nelson, Tavares, and Cizikas.

Over to Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Steve Mason occupy the creases. St. Louis led off in the first period on a Robby Fabbri goal, his sixth of the season, via Dmitrij Jaskin. The Blues added on with a Kevin Shattenkirk power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Vladimir Tarasenko and Paul Stastny. St. Louis extended the lead as Magnus Paajarvi scored his second of the season, thanks to Stastny in the second period. Philadelphia got on the board with a Chris VandeVelde shorthanded goal, his second of the year, set up by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. The Flyers pulled closer on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Jakub Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere. Philadelphia tied it on a Simmonds power play goal in the third period, his second of the game and ninth of the year, helped along by Voracek and Gostisbehere. The Flyers took the lead with an Evgeny Medvedev goal, his second of the campaign, courtesy of Ryan White and VandeVelde. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Simmonds, VandeVelde, and Voracek, while Gostisbehere and Stastny get the honorable mentions.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Matthew Murray are the unknown goalies. Columbus struck first in the first period on an Alexander Wennberg goal, his third of the season, assisted by Fedor Tyutin and Brandon Saad. Pittsburgh tied it on a second period Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by David Perron and Trevor Daley. The Penguins took the lead on a Phil Kessel goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Scott Wilson and Nick Bonino. Pittsburgh added on with Kessel's second of the game and eleventh of the year, via Bonino and Olli Maatta. The Penguins extended the lead as David Warsofsky scored a power play goal, thanks to Chris Kunitz and Perron. The Blue Jackets got one back on a Boone Jenner goal in the third period, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Ryan Johansen and Andrew Bodnarchuk. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 on a Malkin empty net goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, made possible by Patric Hornqvist and Matt Cullen. The three stars went to Kessel, Malkin, and Bonino, while Perron gets an honorable mention.

Down in Nashville, the Predators host the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski and Pekka Rinne draw the starts. Nashville started in the first period on a Shea Weber goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Roman Josi and Calle Jarnkrok. The Predators added on in the second period on a Josi power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Weber and Filip Forsberg. Nashville extended the lead in the third period as Ryan Ellis scored his third of the season, thanks to Colin Wilson and Mike Ribeiro. Mike Condon replaced Tokarski. The Predators padded the lead on a Jarnkrok goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Wilson and James Neal. Montreal got on the board with an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his eighth of the season, via Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban on the power play. Nashville finished it at 5-1 with a Wilson empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Weber. The three stars went to Weber, Josi, and Jarnkrok, while Wilson gets an honorable mention.

Way north to Minnesota, where the Wild welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Devan Dubnyk are between the pipes. Minnesota began in the first period on a Jared Spurgeon goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Wild added on with a Charlie Coyle goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Justin Fontaine and Nino Niederreiter. Antti Niemi replaced Lehtonen in goal. Dallas got on the board in the second period on a Jordie Benn goal, with a lone helper by Jason Spezza. The Stars tied it on a Vernon Fiddler power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Patrick Eaves and Alex Goligoski. Dallas took the lead as Tyler Seguin scored his nineteenth of the year, with the help of Patrick Sharp and Jamie Benn. The Stars extended the lead in the third period on an Antoine Roussel goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Johnny Oduya. Minnesota pulled back on a Niederreiter goal, his seventh of the year, with helpers provided by Coyle and Fontaine. Dallas shot back on a Cody Eakin empty net goal, his eighth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Stars wrapped it up at 6-3 on a Fiddler empty net goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, coming off of Seguin. The three stars went to Fiddler, Seguin, and Niederreiter, while Coyle and Fontaine get honorable mentions.

West to Edmonton, with the Oilers hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Cam Talbot are the inexperienced goalies. Edmonton drew first blood in the first period on a Teddy Purcell goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers added on with another Purcell goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, courtesy of Draisaitl and Hall. Edmonton extended the lead in the second period as Justin Schultz scored, thanks to Purcell and Hall, the latter getting a sock trick. Winnipeg got on the board with a Bryan Little goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Blake Wheeler and Tyler Myers. The final held at 3-1, with the three stars being Purcell, Hall, and Talbot (44 for 45 in saves), while Draisaitl gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Semyon Varlamov protect the nets. Colorado dented the scoreboard on a first period goal by Jack Skille, his fifth of the season, made possible by Erik Johnson and Cody McLeod. Toronto tied it on a Leo Komarov power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri. The Maple Leafs took the lead on a Joffrey Lupul power play goal, his ninth of the season, via Komarov and Gardiner. The Avalanche tied it in the second period on a John Mitchell goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla. Toronto took the lead back on Komarov's second of the game and fifteenth of the season, another power play goal helped along by Peter Holland and Gardiner, the latter getting a sock trick. Colorado tied it as Johnson scored his sixth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Gabriel Landeskog and Tyson Barrie. The Maple Leafs took the lead on a third period Tyler Bozak goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by James van Riemsdyk and P.A. Parenteau. Toronto added on with a Bozak goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs extended the lead as van Riemsdyk scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Gardiner and Dion Phaneuf. Toronto padded the lead on a Bozak empty net goal, his eighth of the year to complete his hat trick, dished from van Riesmdyk. The Avalanche shot back on a Skille goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, with assists from Zach Redmond and Nick Holden. The final was 7-4, with the three stars going to Komarov, Bozak, and Skille, while Gardiner, Johnson, and van Riemsdyk get the honorable mentions.

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2015/16 Premier League Week 17

Full slate this weekend is led by seven Saturday games. The first is...

Chelsea hosting Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Thibaut Courtois are in goal. Chelsea started with a Branislav Ivanovic goal in the fifth minute, set up by Willian. Chelsea added on with a thirteenth minute goal by Pedro. In the forty-eighth minute, Sunderland keeper Pantilimon took a yellow card for his foul, and two minutes later, Chelsea's Oscar buried the penalty kick to extend the lead. In the fifty-third minute, Fabio Borini scored for Sunderland. Jack Rodwell of Sunderland had a sixty-second minute yellow card for a foul. Nemanja Matic of Chelsea received a yellow card for an eighty-eighth minute foul. Sunderland saw John O'Shea get booked in the eighty-ninth minute on a yellow card for a foul. The final favored Chelsea 3-1.

Up to Everton welcoming Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel and Tim Howard are the goalies. Leicester City struck first in the twenty-seventh minute on a Riyad Mahrez penalty kick goal. Everton tied it on a thirty-second minute goal by Romelu Lukaku. Everton had yellow cards for Ramiro Funes Mori in the sixty-first minute and Howard in the sixty-fourth minute, for fouls. Mahrez scored another penalty kick goal in the sixty-fifth minute to restore a Leicester City lead. Leicester City added on with a sixty-ninth minute goal by Shinji Okazaki, via Jamie Vardy. At the eighty-one minute mark, Marcin Wasilewski took a yellow card for his foul for Leicester City. Everton got one back on a Kevin Mirallas goal in the eighty-ninth minute. This only made it 3-2 for Leicester City to win again.

Along to Manchester United bringing in Norwich City. Declan Rudd and David de Gea man the nets. In the twenty-seventh minute, Gary O'Neil of Norwich City took a yellow card for a foul. Norwich City began with a thirty-eighth minute goal by Cameron Jerome, passed from Nathan Redmond. Robbie Brady of Norwich City received a yellow card for a fifty-second minute foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Alexander Tettey of Norwich City added on with his goal, assisted by Jerome. In the sixty-sixth minute, Manchester United got on the board with an Anthony Martial goal, coming off of Wayne Rooney. The score stayed at 2-1 for Norwich City to win.

Down to Southampton hosting Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Paulo Gazzaniga are the gloved men. Tottenham Hotspur got going in the fortieth minute on a Harry Kane goal, via Dele Alli. Southampton had a yellow card go to Jose Fonte for dissent after the goal. Tottenham Hotspur added on with a forty-third minute Alli goal, courtesy of Kyle Walker. Alli had a yellow card in the seventy-second minute for his foul for Tottenham Hotspur. The final remained 2-0.

Next up, Stoke City welcomes Crystal Palace. Wayne Hennessey and Jack Butland are in the six-yard boxes. Crystal Palace dented the scoreboard in first half stoppage time on a Connor Wickham penalty kick goal. Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City took a yellow card in the fifty-second minute for a foul, as did Ibrahim Afellay of Stoke City in the sixty-eighth minute. Stoke City tied it on a seventy-sixth minute penalty kick goal by Bojan. Crystal Palace retook the lead on a Lee Chung-yong goal, in eighty-eighth minute. This made it 2-1 for Crystal Palace, the final.

Continuing to West Bromwich Albion bringing in Bournemouth. Artur Boruc and Boaz Myhill protect the nets. In the thirty-fourth minute, James McClean of West Bromwich took a straight red card for a foul, putting the hosts at ten men. Jonny Evans of West Bromwich Albion had a yellow card for his thirty-ninth minute foul. Bournemouth led off in the fifty-second minute on an Adam Smith goal, passed from Andrew Surman. Darren Fletcher of West Bromwich Albion received a yellow card for his sixty-fourth minute foul. West Bromwich tied it on a seventy-ninth minute goal by Gareth McAuley, assisted by Craig Gardner. In the eighty-seventh minute, a Charlie Daniels penalty kick goal gave Bournemouth the lead again. In stoppage time, Salomon Rondon of West Bromwich Albion took a red card for violent conduct, and Smith of Bournemouth had a yellow card for a foul.

Saturday ends with Newcastle United hosting Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Robert Elliot are between the posts. Newcastle United was first to score in the thirty-eighth minute on a Fabricio Coloccini goal, guided in by Siem de Jong. Paul Dummett of Newcastle United had a yellow card for his forty-first minute foul. Aston Villa tied it on a sixty-first minute goal by Jordan Ayew, fueled by Jordan Veretout. Aston Villa had three yellow cards, given to Leandro Bacuna in the seventy-seventh minute, Ayew in the seventy-ninth minute, and Ashley Westwood in the eighty-fourth minute. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

On Sunday, the first game is Watford welcoming Liverpool. Adam Bogdan and Heurelho Gomes are set to start in goal. Watford opened in the third minute on a Nathan Ake goal. Watford added on with an Odion Ighalo goal in the fifteenth minute. Miguel Britos of Watford took a yellow card for his seventy-eighth minute foul. Watford iced it at 3-0 on another Ighalo goal in the eighty-fifth minute, courtesy of Valon Behrami. This remained as the final score.

The other one is from Wales, where Swansea City brings in West Ham United. Adrian and Lukasz Fabianski are the veteran keepers. The game had one more yellow card than goals, and that was an eighty-sixth minute yellow card for West Ham United's Carl Jenkinson committing a foul. The final was a 0-0 draw. 

Finally, Monday sees Arsenal host Manchester City. Joe Hart and Petr Cech are the keepers. Manchester City saw a yellow card for a thirty-first minute foul by David Silva. Arsenal drew first blood on a thirty-third minute goal by Theo Walcott, set up by Mesut Ozil. Arsenal added on with an Olivier Giroud goal in first half stoppage time, via Ozil. In the forty-eighth minute, Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City had a yellow card for his foul. In the eighty-second minute, Manchester City got on the board with a Yaya Toure goal, coming off of Bacary Sagna. This only made it 2-1, the final, favoring Arsenal.

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Sunday, December 20, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 74

Six games today, beginning with...

The Florida Panthers hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller faces former Canucks Roberto Luongo in goal. Vancouver led off in the first period on a Jannik Hansen goal, his tenth of the campaign, fueled by Alex Biega and Jared McCann. Florida tied it on a Shawn Thornton goal, coming off of Connor Brickley and Rocco Grimaldi. The Canucks took the lead again on a Sven Baertschi goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Bo Horvat and Matt Bartkowski. The Panthers tied it as Jaromir Jagr scored his tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. Florida took the lead on a Vincent Trocheck goal in the second period, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. Vancouver tied it as Derek Dorsett scored his third of the year, thanks to Adam Cracknell. The Panthers took the lead back on an Aaron Ekblad power play goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Jagr and Huberdeau. The Canucks tied it again on a Daniel Sedin goal, his fifteenth of the year, passed from Hansen. In the shootout, Brandon Pirri and Barkov won it 5-4 for Florida over McCann's lone tally. The three stars went to Jagr, Hansen, and Barkov, while Huberdeau and McCann get the honorable mentions.

Up in Boston, the Bruins welcome the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces a lesser foe in Jonas Gustavsson in goal. Boston began in the first period on a Loui Eriksson goal, his thirteenth of the season, via David Krejci and Colin Miller. New Jersey tied it on a second period goal by Andy Greene, his third of the year, passed from Lee Stempniak and Adam Larsson. The Bruins won 2-1 with a Ryan Spooner shootout goal. The three stars went to Gustavsson (29 for 30 in saves), Schneider (38 for 39 in saves), and Spooner.

Back in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. Ottawa was first to score in the first period on a Zack Smith shorthanded goal, his eighth of the season, set up by Curtis Lazar. Tampa Bay tied it on a Nikita Nesterov power play goal, powered by Victor Hedman and Alex Killorn. The Lightning took the lead on a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Niktia Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov. Tampa Bay added on in the second period on a Mike Angelidis goal, coming off of Mike Blunden and Jonathan Marchessault. The Senators got one back as Erik Karlsson scored his ninth of the season, thanks to Mike Hoffman. The Lightning shot back with a Killorn empty net goal, his sixth of the year, going in unassisted. Tampa Bay finished it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Stamkos, his second of the game and fourteenth of the campaign, with helpers from Kucherov and Namestnikov. The three stars were Stamkos, Killorn, and Kucherov, while Namestnikov get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Chicago, where the Blackhawks host the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Corey Crawford are the masked men. Chicago struck first in the first period on an Artem Anisimov goal, his twelfth of the season, going in unassisted. San Jose tied it on a Joonas Donskoi goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Justin Braun. The Sharks took the lead on a Tommy Wingels goal, his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Vlasic and Donskoi. The Blackhawks retied it on a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-first of the year, assisted by Duncan Keith and Bryan Bickell. San Jose regained the lead on a Joe Pavelski goal in the second period, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Joe Thornton and Paul Martin. Chicago tied it in the third period as Andrew Shaw scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Phillip Danault. The Blackhawks won 4-3 in overtime on a Jonathan Toews goal, his eleventh of the campaign, helped along by Kane and Keith. The three stars went to Kane, Donskoi, and Keith, while Vlasic gets an honorable mention.

Up to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Petr Mrazek are between the pipes. Calgary got going in the second period on a Dennis Wideman power play goal, powered by T.J. Brodie and Johnny Gaudreau. Detroit tied it on a Dylan Larkin goal, his twelfth of the season, via Brendan Smith and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings took the lead on a Brad Richards goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. Detroit added on with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Danny DeKeyser and Riley Sheahan. The Flames got one back in the third period on a Dougie Hamilton goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Jiri Hudler and Mark Giordano. The Red Wings iced it at 4-2 on a Justin Abdelkader goal, his eleventh of the campaign, set up by DeKeyser. The three stars went to Nyquist, DeKeyser, and Richards.

Finally, we head east for the New York Rangers bringing in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Washington drew first blood in the first period on a Justin Williams goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Taylor Chorney and John Carlson. New York tied it on a J.T. Miller goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Rick Nash and Keith Yandle. The Rangers took the lead with a Chris Kreider goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Marc Staal and Jesper Fast. New York added on with a Dan Boyle power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Ryan McDonagh and Mats Zuccarello. The Capitals pulled back on an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal in the second period, his tenth of the season, via Dmitry Orlov and Williams. Washington tied it as T.J. Oshie scored his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom and Orlov. The Capitals took the lead back on an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Marcus Johansson and Backstrom. Washington extended the lead on a Williams power play goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, helped along by Johansson and Backstrom, the latter getting a sock trick. Magnus Hellberg replaced Lundqvist in goal in the third period. The Capitals padded the lead with a shorthanded goal by Jason Chimera, his eighth of the season, set up by Tom Wilson. Washington wrapped it up at 7-3 on a Johansson goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Kuznetsov. The three stars went to Williams, Johansson, and Backstrom, while Kuznetsov and Orlov get the honorable mentions.

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Saturday, December 19, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 73

Ten games on today, beginning with two matinees. The first is from...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Chad Johnson are set to start in goal. Chicago opened in the first period on a Dennis Rasmussen goal, his third of the season, passed from Michal Rozsival. Buffalo tied it in the second period as Cody Franson scored his third of the year, guided in by Jack Eichel and Evander Kane. The Sabres took the lead in the third period on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Sam Reinhart and Jake McCabe. The Blackhawks tied it again with a Patrick Kane power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Artemi Panarin and Duncan Keith. In the shootout, Patrick Kane had the lone tally for a 3-2 Chicago. The three stars went to Patrick Kane, O'Reilly, and Rasmussen.

Over in St. Louis, the Blues welcome the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Brian Elliott are the average goalies. St. Louis struck first on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twenty-first of the season, courtesy of Carl Gunnarsson and Alexander Steen. The Blues added on with a Colton Parayko goal, his sixth of the year, via Tarasenko. St. Louis extended the lead as Jori Lehtera scored his fourth of the season in the second period, thanks to Steen and Tarasenko. Calgary got on the board with a third period Sean Monahan goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Mark Giordano and Josh Jooris. The Flames pulled closer on a Giordano goal, his seventh of the campaign, guided in by Mikael Backlund and David Jones. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Tarasenko, Giordano, and Steen.

At the usual time, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi and Mike Condon draw the starts. Dallas started in the first period on a Jason Spezza goal, his twelfth of the season, via Ales Hemsky. The Stars added on with a second period Jamie Benn goal, his twenty-first of the year, going in unassisted. Dallas extended the lead on a Patrick Sharp power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Tyler Seguin and Spezza. Montreal got on the board with a Daniel Carr goal, his second of the year, coming on the power play from Tomas Fleischmann and P.K. Subban. The Stars replied as Seguin scored his eighteenth of the season, thanks to Alex Goligoski and Benn. Dallas padded the lead on a Benn power play goal in the third period, his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, helped along by Sharp and Spezza. The Canadiens answered with a shorthanded goal by Paul Byron, his fifth of the season, set up by Brian Flynn. The Stars countered on a Patrick Eaves power play goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Vernon Fiddler. The final held at 6-2, with the three stars being Benn, Spezza, and Seguin, while Sharp gets an honorable mention.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils host the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen faces a lesser foe in Keith Kinkaid in goal. Anaheim was first to score in the first period on a Chris Stewart goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone helper by Kevin Bieksa. The Ducks added on with a Ryan Kesler goal, his fourth of the year, via Corey Perry. New Jersey got on the board with a Mike Cammalleri goal in the third period, his twelfth of the campaign, guided in by Lee Stempniak and Damon Severson. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Andersen (21 for 22 in saves), Kesler, and Stewart.

West to Pittsburgh, with the Penguins welcoming Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Matthew Murray are given the starting nods. Carolina led off in the first period on a Jordan Staal power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Justin Faulk and Victor Rask. The Hurricanes added on with a John-Michael Liles power play goal, fueled by Brett Pesce. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second period with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, with assists provided by Trevor Daley and Sidney Crosby. This was it for the scoring, with the final at 2-1. The three stars were Ward (37 for 38 in saves), Liles, and Staal.

Back in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jhonas Enroth and Jonathan Bernier are in the blue paint. Toronto began in the first period on a Leo Komarov goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Matt Hunwick and Michael Grabner. The Maple Leafs added on with a Grabner goal in the third period, his third of the year, via Nazem Kadri and Hunwick. Toronto extended the lead as Grabner scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, assisted by Kadri and Komarov. The Maple Leafs padded the lead as Komarov scored his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, with the help of Morgan Rielly and Grabner. Toronto iced it at 5-0 on a Bryan Froese goal, fueled by Brad Boyes and Shawn Matthias. The three stars went to Grabner, Komarov, and Bernier (26 save shutout), while Kadri and Hunwick get the honorable mentions.

Stateside, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Joonas Korpisalo are in the creases. Columbus drew first blood in the first period on a Brandon Saad goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Brandon Dubinsky and Kevin Connauton. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with a Ryan Murray power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Nick Foligno and Scott Hartnell. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period on a Scott Laughton goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Matt Read and Nick Schultz. The Flyers tied it on a Jakub Voracek goal, his third of the year, assisted by Sean Couturier and Shayne Gostisbehere. In the shootout, Cam Atkinson and Dubinsky topped Wayne Simmonds to give Columbus the 3-2 win. The three stars went to Mason (35 for 37 in saves), Dubinsky, and Korpisalo (30 for 32 in saves).

Down to Nashville, with the Predators welcoming the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Pekka Rinne guard the cages. Nashville got started on a Filip Forsberg goal, his seventh of the season, via Shea Weber and Mike Ribeiro. The Predators added on with a Ribeiro power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Weber and Roman Josi. Nashville extended the lead in the second period as James Neal scored his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Calle Jarnkrok and Viktor Arvidsson. Minnesota got on the board with a Zach Parise goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Marco Scandella and Mikael Granlund. The Wild got closer in the third period on a Jason Zucker goal, his eighth of the campaign, with a lone helper by Mikko Koivu. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Ribeiro, Weber, and Neal.

Southwest to Arizona, with the Coyotes bringing in the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak faces a lesser foe in Louis Domingue in goal. Arizona dented the scoreboard on a first period goal by Oliver Ekman-Larsson, his seventh of the season, passed from Anthony Duclair and Tobias Rieder. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars being Domingue (25 save shutout), Ekman-Larsson, and Halak (28 for 29 in saves).

Finally, the Colorado Avalanche host the Edmonton Oilers. Anders Nilsson and Semyon Varlamov are the reliable goalies. Colorado got going in the first period on a shorthanded goal by Blake Comeau, his fifth of the season, set up by Carl Soderberg and Erik Johnson. The Avalanche added on with a Tyson Barrie power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. Colorado extended the lead in the second period as Nick Holden scored his third of the season, thanks to John Mitchell. Edmonton got on the board in the third period on an Andrej Sekera goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl. The Avalanche replied with a Jarome Iginla goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Alex Tanguay. Colorado padded the lead on a Jack Skille goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Cody McLeod and Barrie. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Barrie, Varlamov (39 for 40 in saves), and Comeau.

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Friday, December 18, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 72

Six games on tonight, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Cam Ward are the veterans in goal. Florida dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Willie Mitchell goal, coming off of Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers iced it at 2-0 with an unassisted empty net goal by Reilly Smith, his eleventh of the campaign. The three stars went to Luongo (24 save shutout), Mitchell, and Ward (16 for 17 in saves).

Up in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces a lesser foe in Jeff Zatkoff in goal. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Conor Sheary goal, made possible by Sidney Crosby. Boston tied it on a Frank Vatrano goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ryan Spooner and Landon Ferraro. The Bruins took the lead in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Patrice Bergeron, his tenth of the year, set up by Brad Marchand. The Penguins tied it on a Trevor Daley goal, via Crosby and Sheary. Boston took the lead back on a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his twelfth of the campaign, powered by Spooner and David Krejci. The Bruins added on with a Bergeron goal in the third period, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, coming off of Zdeno Chara and Marchand. Boston extended the lead as Vatrano scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, thanks to Spooner, who got a sock trick, and Jimmy Hayes. The Bruins iced it at 6-2 with a Vatrano goal, completing his hat trick on his fifth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Spooner. The three stars went to Vatrano, Bergeron, and Spooner, while Sheary, Crosby, and Marchand get the honorable mentions.

Over to DC, where the Washington Capitals bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Braden Holtby guard the cages. Tampa Bay led off in the first period on an Alex Killorn goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Jonathan Marchessault and Braydon Coburn. The Lightning added on in the second period with an Andrej Sustr goal, passed from Nikita Kucherov. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Steven Stamkos scored his twelfth of the year, thanks to Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman. Philipp Grubauer replaced Holtby in goal. Washington got on the board with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by T.J. Oshie and John Carlson. The Capitals pulled closer on an unassisted Oshie goal in the third period, his eleventh of the year. Washington tied it on an Ovechkin power play goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, via Jason Chimera and Justin Williams. The Capitals gained the lead on a Marcus Johansson power play goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Oshie and Ovechkin. Washington iced it at 5-3 with an Oshie empty net goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the campaign, set up by Nicklas Backstrom and Ovechkin. The three stars were awarded to Ovechkin, Oshie, and Johansson.

Along to Detroit, with the Red Wings hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Jimmy Howard are the experienced goalies. Vancouver struck first in the first period on a Jared McCann goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Jannik Hansen. The Canucks added on in the second period with a Sven Baertschi goal, his third of the year, assisted by Bo Horvat and Radim Vrbata. Detroit got on the board with a Joakim Andersson goal, passed from Danny DeKeyser and Luke Glendening. The Red Wings tied it on a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his third of the season, coming off of Brendan Smith and Alexey Marchenko in the third period. Vancouver took the lead back on a Vrbata goal, his tenth of the year, with helpers provided by Christopher Tanev and Baertschi. Detroit tied it with a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his sixth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Datsyuk. The tie went to a shootout, where Vrbata was matched by Brad Richards before Linden Vey scored to give the Canucks a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Vrbata, Datsyuk, and Baertschi.

In Ontario, the Ottawa Senators welcome the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Craig Anderson draw the starts in goal. San Jose got going in the second period on a Joe Thornton power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski. Ottawa tied it on an unassisted Bobby Ryan goal, his eleventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Senators took the lead on a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal in the third period, his ninth of the campaign, passed from Dave Dziurzynski and Cody Ceci. Ottawa added on as Chris Wideman scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Curtis Lazar and Shane Prince. The Senators extended the lead as Erik Karlsson scored his eighth of the year, assisted by Mike Hoffman and Ryan. The Sharks got one back with an unassisted Burns goal, his twelfth of the campaign. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars handed to Ryan, Burns, and Wideman.

Finally, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Connor Hellebuyck are the masked men. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period on a Bryan Little goal, his eleventh of the season, via Blake Wheeler. The Jets added on with a Little goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, courtesy of Wheeler and Andrew Ladd. New York got on the board with a J.T. Miller goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Kevin Hayes and Keith Yandle. Winnipeg replied with a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Mark Scheifele. The Rangers answered on a Dan Boyle power play goal in the second period, his third of the season, powered by Ryan McDonagh and Derick Brassard. The Jets countered with a Tyler Myers goal, his third of the year, helped along by Wheeler, who got a sock trick, and Little. Winnipeg iced it at 5-2 with a Ladd empty net goal in the third period, his ninth of the campaign, set up by Wheeler. The three stars were handed to Little, Wheeler, and Ladd.

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2015-16 NHL Season - Day 71



Eleven games lead off the day’s schedule, beginning with…

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Chad Johnson are the little-known goalies. Buffalo got going in the second period on an Evander Kane goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart. The Sabres added on with a Jake McCabe goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Cal O’Reilly and Nicolas Deslauriers. Buffalo extended the lead as Jamie McGinn scored his seventh of the campaign, set up by Rasmus Ristolainen and Josh Gorges. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Johnson (44 save shutout), Kane, and McCabe.

Over in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Florida Panthers. Al Montoya is mismatched with Cory Schneider in goal. Florida led off in the first period on a Jussi Jokinen goal, his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Brandon Pirri and Vincent Trocheck. The Panthers added on with a Dmitry Kulikov goal, coming off of Jaromir Jagr and Brian Campbell. Florida extended the lead as Pirri scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Corban Knight and Logan Shaw in the second period. The Panthers padded the lead on a third period Reilly Smith goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Trocheck and Jokinen. New Jersey got on the board with a Sergey Kalinin goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Kyle Palmieri and David Schlemko on the power play. Florida iced it at 5-1 with a Shaw empty net goal, his third of the campaign, set up by Pirri and Knight. The three stars were Pirri, Jokinen, and Trocheck, while Knight and Shaw get the honorable mentions.

Back into Philadelphia, where the Flyers bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Steve Mason are the middling goalies. Philadelphia opened in the first period on a Michael Raffl goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Evgeny Medvedev and Matt Read. The Flyers added on with a Sean Couturier goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, helped along by Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek. The three stars were handed to Mason (36 save shutout), Raffl, and Couturier.

Into Canada, where the Montreal Canadiens host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Mike Condon draw the starts in goal. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard on a Drew Doughty goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Tyler Toffoli. The Kings added on with an Anze Kopitar goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Doughty and Marian Gaborik. Los Angeles extended the lead in the third period as Gaborik scored an empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Milan Lucic. The three stars of the 3-0 game belonged to Doughty, Quick (45 save shutout), and Gaborik.

In Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Garret Sparks are the young goalies. San Jose started in the first period on a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Brent Burns and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks added on with a Marleau power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Pavelski and Burns. Jonathan Bernier relieved Sparks at this time. Toronto got on the board with a Peter Holland goal, his fifth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Daniel Winnik. The Maple Leafs took the lead on a Leo Komarov goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Frank Corrado and Nazem Kadri. Toronto took the lead with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by P.A. Parenteau and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs extended their lead on a Michael Grabner goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Holland and Winnik. San Joe pulled back as Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Justin Braun. The Sharks tied it on a Matt Nieto goal, his fourth of the year, with helpers from Chris Tierney and Joonas Donskoi. San Jose won 5-4 with a Burns goal in overtime, his eleventh of the campaign, guided in by Thornton and Pavelski. The three stars were handed to Burns, Pavelski, and Marleau, while Holland and Winnik get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jake Allen tend the twines. Nashville was first to score in the first period on a Roman Josi power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Filip Forsberg and Shea Weber. St. Louis tied it on a David Backes goal in the third period, his tenth of the year, via Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues took the lead on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twentieth of the campaign, coming off of Alexander Steen and Paul Stastny. This held for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Allen (27 for 28 in saves), Tarasenko, and Rinne (31 for 33 in saves).

North to Minnesota, with the Wild hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Minnesota began in the first period on a Mikko Koivu goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Thomas Vanek and Zach Parise. The Wild added on with a Matt Dumba goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, coming on the power play from Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund. New York got on the board with a Dominic Moore goal, his third of the season, via Emerson Etem and Tanner Glass. Minnesota replied in the third period on a Jason Pominville power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Koivu and Ryan Suter. The Wild extended the lead as Chris Porter scored his second of the season, thanks to Justin Fontaine and Suter. Antti Raanta finished the game instead of Lundqvist. The Rangers got one back on a Ryan McDonagh goal, his fifth of the year, with helpers from J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast. Minnesota iced it at 5-2 with a Koivu goal, his eighth of the campaign and second of the game, assisted by Ryan Carter and Charlie Coyle. The three stars went to Koivu, Suter, and Pominville.

Back south, the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Corey Crawford are in the creases. Chicago struck first in the first period on a Jonathan Toews goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Marian Hossa and Teuvo Teravainen. The Blackhawks added on with a Teravainen goal in the second period, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Toews and Hossa. Chicago extended the lead as Teravainen scored his second of the game and eighth of the season, thanks to Hossa, who got a sock trick, and Toews. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-0 with an Artemi Panarin goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Brent Seabrook and Patrick Kane. The three stars went to Teravainen, Toews, and Hossa, while Crawford (33 save shutout) gets an honorable mention.

Down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Kari Lehtonen are the Finnish goalies. Dallas drew first blood on a shorthanded goal by Johnny Oduya, his fourth of the season, set up by Vernon Fiddler. Calgary tied it on a Sean Monahan goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Johnny Gaudreau and Kris Russell. The Flames took the lead on a Dougie Hamilton goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Joe Colborne and Matt Stajan. Calgary added on with a Mason Raymond goal in the second period, his third of the year, helped along by Mikael Backlund. This made it 3-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Ramo (35 for 36 in saves), Hamilton, and Monahan.

Northwest to Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche welcome the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Semyon Varlamov are the goalies. Colorado opened in the first period with a Francois Beauchemin goal, his fourth of the season, via Andreas Martinsen. New York tied it on a Brock Nelson power play goal in the second period, his eleventh of the year, powered by Marek Zidlicky and Mikhail Grabovski. The Avalanche retook the lead on a Beauchemin goal in the third period, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, made possible by Carl Soderberg and Blake Comeau. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Beauchemin, Varlamov (33 for 34 in saves), and Greiss (28 for 30 in saves).

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Anders Lindback are the poor goalies. Columbus started with a Brandon Saad goal, his eleventh of the season, via Alexander Wennberg and Scott Hartnell. The Blue Jackets added on with a Matt Calvert goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Cam Atkinson and Kevin Connauton. Arizona got on the board with an unassisted Antoine Vermette goal, his fourth of the season. The Coyotes tied it in the second period on a Viktor Tikhonov power play goal, powered by Jordan Martinook and Michael Stone. Arizona pulled ahead on a Tobias Rieder goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Vermette and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Columbus retied it on a Wennberg goal, his second of the season, guided in by Saad. The Blue Jackets took the lead on an Atkinson goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone assist by the goalie McElhinney. Louis Domingue replaced Lindback in goal. The Coyotes retied it with a Martinook goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Shane Doan. Columbus gained the lead again on a Nick Foligno goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Saad. The Blue Jackets extended the lead as David Clarkson scored, with the help of Hartnell and Boone Jenner. Arizona answered on Rieder’s second of the game and eighth of the season, with assists provided by Nicklas Grossmann and Mikkel Boedker. Columbus finished it at 7-5 with an empty net goal by Brandon Dubinsky, his sixth of the year, set up by Wennberg and Atkinson. The three stars went to Saad, Atkinson, and Rieder, while Wennberg, Hartnell, Vermette, and Martinook get honorable mentions.

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Wednesday, December 16, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 70

Just two games on a light day today, beginning with...

The Washington Capitals welcoming the Ottawa Senators in a battle of each nation's capital city teams. Andrew Hammond and Braden Holtby draw the starts in goal. Washington opened in the first period on a Michael Latta goal, his second of the season, coming off of Dmitry Orlov and Taylor Chorney. The Capitals added on with a John Carlson second period goal, his sixth of the year, via Justin Williams and Latta. Ottawa got on the board with a third period power play goal by Bobby Ryan, his tenth of the campaign, powered by Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. This final stood from here at 2-1, with the three stars going to Latta, Holtby (26 for 27 in saves), and Carlson.

Over in Boston, the Bruins bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins for the day's other game. Jeff Zatkoff is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Boston started in the first period with a Max Talbot goal, assisted by Adam McQuaid and Jimmy Hayes. The Bruins added on with a Hayes goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Ryan Spooner and Colin Miller. Boston iced it at 3-0 on a Spooner empty net power play goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Patrice Bergeron and Loui Eriksson. The three stars were Rask (34 save shutout), Hayes, and Spooner.

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